A story that repeats itself: Lautaro and Zanetti's goals

England vs. Argentina is never just another match. The rivalry between the two nations has spanned decades, producing moments that have become part of football folklore. From Antonio Rattín's dismissal at the 1966 FIFA World Cup in a match England won 1-0 at Wembley, to Diego Armando Maradona's Hand of God and Goal of the Century in the iconic 1986 World Cup quarter-final at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and now to Argentina's semi-final victory in Atlanta during this summer's tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final has earned its place among the legendary encounters between Argentina and England. Lautaro Martínez's goal secured an unforgettable victory for the reigning world champions in what was arguably the most significant match ever played between the two nations. The Inter captain's strike also brought back memories of the last knockout meeting between England and Argentina: the 1998 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.

The stage was Saint-Étienne, France, on 30 June 1998, as Argentina and England met at a World Cup for the first time since their famous quarter-final at the Azteca in 1986. A place in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands, who had eliminated Yugoslavia the previous day, was at stake. Argentina took the lead after just five minutes through a Gabriel Batistuta penalty, only for Alan Shearer to level from the spot four minutes later. In the 16th minute, Michael Owenproduced a stunning solo goal to put England ahead, but the drama of the first half was far from over. Right before the interval, Argentina won a dangerous free-kick. Batistuta cleverly dummied the ball, Juan Sebastián Verón slipped a pass into the penalty area instead of shooting, and Javier Zanetti controlled, turned and unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike into the top corner. It made it 2-2, and after David Beckham's red card, Argentina eventually prevailed on penalties following decisive misses from Paul Ince and David Batty.

Until Enzo Fernández's goal in Atlanta, Zanetti's strike had been Argentina's last goal against England in an official match, their only meeting since then had been England's 1-0 victory in the group stage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, decided by a Beckham penalty. For many Argentina and Inter supporters, Lautaro's decisive header echoed Zanetti's unforgettable goal: an Inter player, Zanetti was not yet club captain at the time, scoring for Argentina against England. There were even more striking parallels: Argentina wore the same blue away shirt used by Lionel Scaloni's side in the 2026 semi-final, and both Zanetti and Lautaro wore the number 22. An extraordinary series of similarities that point towards a shared destiny. Two Inter captains delivering defining moments in one of football's greatest international rivalries.